Omer Shahzad recently sat across Hassan Choudary for Something Haute’s Heart-To-Haute to share various details about his career, the opportunities he has come across, and his struggles. The model-turned-actor, who states right at the beginning of the interview that he always wanted to be an actor, delved deep, and it’s pretty insightful.
The Interview
During the conversation, Omer Shahzad opened up about numerous things, such as his love for singing, alongside acting. He talks about how he’s been singing since he was in school, and would perform at annual dinners. The actor, who has not shied away from owning his love of singing in the past, has been known to also state that he would have singer if he had not been a model.
Omer also revealed that during his early days, he was uncertain about his acting abilities, but was urged to pursue the same. He also highlights the fact that he does not have an industry background, nor did he have any friends in the field, perhaps making the journey that much harder. He goes onto share multiple other details, but it’s when he begins talking about a particular offer that, with complete certainty, piqued our interest.
The Casting
While discussing him venturing forth on the big screen with films such as Teri Meri Love Story, Omer Shahzad states that he will reveal information that he has not talked about thus far in any interview. He shared his disappointment with the technical execution of the film he was a part of, after which he stated that in the month of Ramadan, he received a call in the morning from a number that he did not recognize and of which he couldn’t place the location.
In a surprise reveal, he stated that the caller claimed to be Shaleen, from the highly coveted banner, Yash Raj Films, much to the astonishment of Hassan as well. Omer believed it to be a prank call at first, stating that he hadn’t worked as much at that point in time. However, Shaleen continued on to state that she wanted to set up his appointment with Shanoo Sharma, the casting director at Yash Raj Films, who has pushed forward talent like Ranveer Singh and Parineeti Chopra.
Omer gave a time for a Skype appointment, and was ready for the interview at the exact allotted time. Soon, he virtually sat across Shanoo Sharma who said that they’d seen his drama, which he believed was Adhoori Aurat that had played on Zee Entertainment Enterprises’ Zindagi. The casting director then told him that they’d looked him up online, after which they were unable to find any contact information. The source of this was Ali Zafar, who had not only asked designers for Omer Shahzad’s contact details, but had also put up a status regarding the same. He then checked his Instagram DMs, which made him realize that Yash Raj Films had messaged him there as well, to which Hassan Choudary rightfully asks, “Aap kahan thay Omer?!”
What Happened Next
After a twenty-five minute, thoroughly professional conversation, Shanoo stated that there was a Karan Johar movie in the works. And so, Omer Shahzad states that he was offered a role in the film, clarifying that it wasn’t Imran Abbas’ character. Instead, it was the role of Ali, that later went to ace actor Fawad Khan.
Shanoo allegedly explained the role to Omer, and even stated that the character would have many scenes with the heroine. Omer hilariously states that it’s a Karan Johar film, and the actress would have also been someone like Deepika Padukone, or a contemporary. Even five scenes would have sufficed.
Shanoo then apparently asked for Omer to audition by recording a scene that she could show to Karan Johar. However, the actor explains that he was to leave for Umrah (after his mother’s passing) for fifteen days. He sent a message to Shaleen stating that he was about to head out of the country and asked for a week’s extension, testing waters. Leaving things upto the Almighty, he texted the representative again, to which she responded, but stopped responding soon after. He gracefully states that he understood, given that it did not make sense to him that they would wait for him.
Further Details
However, he was contacted again almost a year-and-a-half later, asking for pictures and videos, which he then emailed. By then, though, the situation had started deteriorating. Contextually, political tensions between India and Pakistan had resurfaced by then in greater intensity.
Omer Shahzad then opens up about how people ask him if he would work in India, where he asks why he wouldn’t. He shares his grief regarding him having worked on himself all alone for Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2, expecting offers after being a part of such a huge production. He goes on to question how a company in India saw his potential at a time where he had not worked as much, and airs his struggle to achieve discipline to commit to his art.
While it’s quite a revelation, Omer Shahzad does also raise pertinent points that must be pondered over internally. Perhaps, some form of reflection with regards to talent is needed. What is your take on this? Let us know in the comments.
